The European Commission has proposed to provide Ireland with €442,293 from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to help 108 aircraft maintenance and repair workers and an equal number of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET'S) to find jobs.

Ireland applied for support from the EGF following the dismissal of 108 workers in PWA International, an enterprise operating in the aircraft maintenance and repair sector. These job losses were the result of the closure of the PWA International site in Ireland following the trend towards locating maintenance repair and overhaul activity near centres of global aviation expansion, namely Asia.

The measures co-financed by the EGF would help the 108 workers and an equal number of NEETs, under the age of 25, in their efforts to find jobs by providing them with

• guidance and career planning and development;
• a variety of vocational trainings including specific internships, work placements, work experience, traineeships and community-oriented training programmes,
• Further Education Programmes and Higher Education Programmes;
• time limited allowances such as course expenses contribution schemes, employment and activation allowances.

The total estimated cost of the package is €737,156, of which the EGF would provide €442,293 (60%).

The proposal now goes to the European Parliament and the EU's Council of Ministers for approval.